On his RDF site, Richard now has posted a 7-minute audio “postcard” reporting on the genesis of his stroke and his prognosis, which is very good. You can hear it by clicking on the screenshot below and then clicking on the arrow.
You can hear that his voice isn’t completely back to normal, but only in terms of volume rather than lucidity. And given his quotation of Steve Pinker, it seems that his cognitive functions are as keen as ever. Notice that even in his ill state, he’s still musing about natural selection and, as many scientists do, is taking a curious and scientific view of his malady.
We all wish Richard well, and I’m confident he’ll be better soon. Do go listen to his report; there are some interesting twists, including the fact that he was re-invited to the NESSC conference that had previously “no-platformed” him.
Good to hear that he’s as lucid as ever. His musings on the evolution of the hand were interesting as I’ve heard creationists citing its complexity as evidence for God!
Glad to hear the mind is unaffected, and that he will make a full recovery
Oh my, the irony. “Keeping out of controversy is not something I’m very good at.” Was it the stress of being “disinvited” that precipitated the stroke, or the elation at being “reinvited”?
Ah, probably neither. What this talk reveals, however, is that Dawkins is a super star for a reason. What a terrific guy.
My guess is probably neither. He’s always under pressure, travels relentlessly without a rest, has a punishing schedule, and needs to relax more! I don’t think he’ll be able to keep out of religious controversies, but were I his doctor I’d prescribe a long vacation from Twitter.
It’s probably just something that happened. The only elevated risk factor is his age.
I fear strokes because I get chronic migraines and that can put lesions on your brain.
He sounds like many do after a stroke – weak in the voice. Imagine how exhausting a stroke must be!
Great to hear it from the source. Thank you, professor Coyne for this connection.
Buttons. I just recently admitted my dad to a nursing facility and buttons is just one of the things he has a very hard time with.
Makes note to self to start company that fashions adult clothing with Velcro fasteners (imagines elderly walking around with socks stuck to their shirts). Crosses out note to self.
snaps, which you don’t see much any more on shirts is a good improvement for many.
Yes you do. There’s one in the washing machine at this very moment.
It is good to hear him. I note he talks about recent stress, and that upsets me for his sake.
Re-invited? Has that been announced anywhere else? Considering how many people close to the NECSS wrote in support of that decision, with justifications that seemed hard to overcome, that is surprising.
It’s a relief to hear his voice. A little scratchy, but, as he said, not cognitively impaired in the least.
Really glad to hear Richard is recovering. He is so important to so many of us. Hang in there, Richard.
He is an amazing man. Obviously further evolved than I am. I am astonished that he can send us this message at this point.
Phew…I don’t consider many humans “my hero”, but Richard Dawkins (and Jerry Coyne for that matter) is certainly on the list. Take care and be well.
Good to hear he is doing quite well given his stroke.
So RD was re-invited by NECSS? Why do I see nothing about this anywhere?
Probably because they thought it politic to contact Richard and get his response *before* they announced it to the world…
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Truly saddened to hear of Dawkins stroke. Sincerely wishing him the best with hopes for a full recovery!
What an impressive speech, so soon after a stroke! As always, much better than I could ever do at the top of my game. Very, very good to hear, thank you for the message, Richard!
This mortality thing can be a bummer…
Yeah, I couldn’t find the word “nervous system” today so just said “brain”. But I’m having that “can’t find words problem that starts with an alpha privative”. Odd that I remember “alpha privative”.
lol!
*googles “alpha privitive”*
And the word I’m looking for is aphasia. That only took 12 hours. Maybe the migraine postdrome has ended.
Hope so, kiddo!
But you may have the distinction of being the first person to be aphasic about aphasia.
You know next time I’m going to try to make that joke and be frustrated that I’ve forgotten the word again.
Ooh, meta-aphasia!
I, OTOH, can’t seem to type my eddress correctly anymore…
But you got a fancy nym out of it.
Er, avatar? (Tho the geometric WP thingies aren’t very avatar-like, unless you want to be seen as a quilt square.)
Or doily.
Ha Ha!
That’s me–doily.
Can anyone clarify the difference between an haemoragic stroke and an ischaemic one?
I think ischaemic is the artery is clogged and blood can’t get up there while haemorrhagic is the artery bursts. The latter is worse. Bleeding I the brain probably causes more extensive damage.
Thanks.
Dawkins alive, Scalia dead. Obviously, god has spoken.
The Onion: “Justice Scalia Dead Following 30-Year Battle With Social Progress”
CLERIC WASTES EFFORT FLAPPING GUMS
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The Grauniad is reporting that some man in a purple skirt is flapping his gums uselessly :
Church of England defends prayer tw*t for Richard Dawkins after stroke.
Viewed from some perspectives, this is somewhere on the axis from pathos to comedy.
Or just run-of-the-mill obtuseness.